Process of molding a compressed fiber composition.



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COATING R PLASTIC Cross Heterence STATES PATENT oFFroE.

MK SKALLA, 6F NILES,

2300358 0] HOLDING OOIPiBESSED FIBER COMPQSITION.

30 Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK SKALLA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niles, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Processes of Molding a Com ressed Fiber Composition, of which the ollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel and im- 19 1proved process of making a compressed ber composition for use in the manufacture of various objects, such-as bowling pins and balls, stool and closet seats, pool balls and various other objects commonly 'made .of wood or composition materials, the object of the invention being to provide a process 'of manufacture whereby a wood fiber composition of eat strength and durability may be pr uced at a comparatively low cost.

In carrying mg invention into practice, I employ as a ho y material wood fiber in the form of sawdust, shavin s, clii s or other kinds omnu or suitably reduced wood, of the same or different species. This wood, in the proportions hereinafter named, is mixed with an adhesive solption, the mixture dried until, roma we con 1- tion, it is reduced to the state of a anular 0 mass, which is damp and slightly-adhesive :i'ii'd plastic when squeezed in the m otherwise subjected to pressure, the dried mass then moistened, and the mass a y subjected tmflfion of heated dies or to 85 pressure in a mold,

e employed may consist of gnixed with about eight times its weight onoritmay r rosin cut glue and water, however, being preferably employed where economy of manufacture is a paramount consideration. This 'adhesive or lue solution, in the proportionpf 4 mne pafi' or me pounds, is mixed with one-half its weight, say four and one-half parts or ounds of wood in the form of sawdust, 518m or a suitable mixture of sawdust Edd avin or wood in other commmufid form. This mixture is' th''n" 1e un is weightis brought down to between six and seven pounds, the mixture at this stage being of the consistencyof a plastic mass which is damp and feels 6 filignltly adhesive when squeezed in the Specification of Letters Patent.

- Application filed January 23, 1915. lerial Io..4,018.

' by the action 0 the heated dies,

The plastic mixture thus prepared is t en mixed with about 1 pound or sixteen fluid ounces of the solvent employed, which is allowed to thoroughly permeate it, so that the glue or adhes ve mixture, a large proportion of which has been absorbed by the comminuted wood, will be spread evenlyand uniformly throughout the mass of the wood to coat the surfaces thereof. The plastic composition is then ready for use for the production of the desired article, the

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

Examiner process being completed by subjecting the composition to a pressure of about two,

ounds per square inch in amold i l I F I I 1 I -flim'dfitilVIEF'et'fidthoroughly harden and thereafter removing the same.

The improved composition may be emplqiyed in the manufacture of bowling balls an pins, pool balls; stool and closet seats, and various other articles commonly made of wood, and which must possess to a high degree strength, .-durabilit and elasticity. The composition not 0 y' produces an article which possesses all these desirable qualities, but which at the same time requires "no turning, sawing, or other finishmg, otherwise than slight smoothing and varnishing or other surface coating, after it has been formed in the mold or by the action of the hot dies. Furthermore, the composition is comparatively simple and inexpensive of production and ornamental in appearance. It possesses much greater strength and durability than fibrous compositions of a similar character which are combined and pressed in the usual way, since by the steps of drying and remoistening prior to the step of subjecting the mass to pressure the glue or adhesive 18 more thoroughly com ined with the wood and the articles of wood more thoroughly and Eomogeneousl bound together so as to produce an artic e of.maximum strength and durability. This action of distributing the adhesive throughout the mass is promoted hich drive off the moisture, open pores of the wood for the saturation of the wood by the adhesive, and retaining sufiicientheat after the driving ofl' of the moisture to keep the adhesive m a plastic condition until the fibers are thoroughly saturated and combined. x

I claim v 1. The herein described process of molding a fibrous composition, which consists in making an adhesive solution consisting of a suitable adhesive and a solvent, then mixing said adhesive with comminuted wood, to produce a wet coherent mass, then subjecting the mass to a drying action until the major portion of the solvent is driven ofi', leaving the massin a slightly adhesive, moist and plastic granular condition, then remoistening the mass with the solvent, and then subjecting the mass to the action of heatin dies.

2. T e herein described process of molding a fibrous composition, which consists in preparin an adhesive solution of glue, one part, an water, eight parts; mixing the adhesive solution with comminuted wood, in the'proportion of a suitable amount of the adhesive to about one-half its weight of wood, so as to form a wet coherent mass, then drying the mass until reduced to a plastic consistency and slightly adhesive under pressure, while still preserving its coherency, then moistening the mass with water, and then subjecting the mass to the action of hot dies under heavy pressure.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

FRANK SKALLA. Witnesses:

ARTHUR J. HILLMAN, Mam B. BRAHANEY. 

